priority

noun

pri·or·i·ty | \ prī-ˈȯr-ə-tē,

-ˈär-\

plural priorities

Definition of priority

1a(1) : the quality or state of being prior

(2) : precedence in date or position of publication —used of taxa

b(1) : superiority in rank, position, or privilege

(2) : legal precedence in exercise of rights over the same subject matter

2 : a preferential rating especially : one that allocates rights to goods and services usually in limited supply that project has top priority

3 : something given or meriting attention before competing alternatives

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about priority

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Examples of priority in a Sentence

Reorganizing the sales force will be a top priority for the new president. Getting the work done on time is a priority for me. She decided to go to the party instead of studying? Where are her priorities? I know you want to buy a new stereo, but right now, saving for college has to take priority.

Recent Examples on the Web

With Padukone in a Sabyasachi lehenga embellished with zardosi metal embroidery paired with a khadi blouse and organza dupatta the fashion was stunning, but dancing was the night’s priority. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas End Winter Wedding Season With a Bang," 21 Dec. 2018 The administration’s top priority is building about 104 miles of barriers in the Rio Grande Valley — which has become by far the most common area for Central American families to cross between ports of entry (i.e. illegally). — Dara Lind, Vox, "Slats, fences, and wall, explained: what exactly the shutdown fight is about," 21 Dec. 2018 Yet Musk has said repeatedly that pedestrians and cyclists get priority in his tunnels. — Alissa Walker, Curbed, "We don’t need more dedicated places where cars can go fast," 20 Dec. 2018 Economic justice initiatives, like protecting home buyers from predatory lenders, are also priorities. — Eslah Attar, Glamour, "Rashida Tlaib Is Determined to Change Congress," 13 Dec. 2018 United—after using five boarding lanes since 2012—settled with just two earlier this year, one for priority and the other for economy and basic economy passengers. — Meredith Carey, Condé Nast Traveler, "Delta's New Boarding Process Is Based on Colors," 11 Dec. 2018 In terms of technology. The House caucus has the priorities of health care, minimum wage, infrastructure. — Makena Kelly, The Verge, "Silicon Valley’s Rep. Ro Khanna talks tech regulation on The Vergecast," 27 Nov. 2018 Criminal justice reform has been a priority of Trump’s son-in-law, White House senior adviser Jared Kushner. — Zeke Miller, The Seattle Times, "Trump to back major rewrite of sentencing laws," 14 Nov. 2018 Kelly Vitousek, a psychologist at the University of Hawaii who has written review papers on CR, says these problems make sense from an evolutionary perspective; food is one of our top priorities. — Mark Barna, Discover Magazine, "Not So Fast," 24 Sep. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'priority.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.